Clevedon 10 pts Hartpury College 41 pts - THIS was a great game of rugby between two sides intent on running the ball.

Clevedon 10 pts

Hartpury College 41 pts

THIS was a great game of rugby between two sides intent on running the ball.

Hartpury, undeafeated this season and destined for greater things, fielded a few international players. They started the better and applied early pressure taking the lead from a catch and drive at the line-out, which was converted.

A poor clearance kick resulted in a penalty for the visitors which they converted and a blindside break from a scrum near the Clevedon line brought their second try.

Clevedon's kicking out of hand left a lot to be desired. The positives so far was good line-out work by Roger Birkin, and grit and determination from the whole team.

Hartpury increased their lead with a try from a scrum, this was converted, but before half time good forward work by Clevedon resulted in a try by Ben Chase. Hartpury led 22-5 at the break.

The second half saw Clevedon dominate the early stages and it was only good defence they were kept at bay. A well worked move by the Clevedon backs ended with the final pass being dropped with the line begging for a try. Clevedon still kept up the pressure, but it was a ten minutes of madness that sealed victory for the visitors.

A counter attack from their own line brought a try .From the restart an interception produced a converted try and to clinch it all, a good supporting move ended with a converted try.

Not downhearted Clevedon came back and again applied all the pressure and were finally rewarded with a try by Owen Biggins. A good all-round performance from Clevedon, but thanks must go to the ageing forkers who got the pitch playable after the wet weather.

On Saturday Clevedon are home to Avonmouth, 2.30pm kick-off. Wednesday March 3, Somerset Cup semi-final against Weston at Bridgwater, 7.30pm kick-off.